Preparedness & Response

Tracking Network data can be used to prepare for and respond to natural disasters or other public health emergencies.
We Track That
Knowledge of a community’s local infrastructure, vulnerabilities, and resources enables public health professionals to quickly establish priorities and take proper actions during emergency or disaster response. The Tracking Network datasets listed below can be used to
- identify community-specific threats and hazards, at-risk populations, and community vulnerabilities.
- make informed decisions about resources needed for public health response or public safety.
- determine potential public health actions that could lessen or prevent illness, injury, and death.
- evaluate possible scenarios based on time, place, and conditions.
Types of Data
The Tracking Network presents data in customizable maps, charts, and tables. Map layers can provide important contextual information including overlays of real-time data (weather radar, surface smoke, and active Atlantic cyclones) and points of interest such as day care centers and public schools, fire stations, hospitals, mobile home parks, National Shelter System Facilities, nursing homes, power plants, and urgent care facilities.
It is important to note that the following data are based on total populations, rather than individual members of a particular population.
Tools
- Heat and Health Tracker: Dashboard providing local, timely data and info to help communities to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events.
- CRC Simpler: Community Reception Center Simulation Program for Leveraging and Evaluating Resources – a planning tool for radiation emergencies
Resources
- Disaster Epidemiology and Response
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response
- Planning for an Emergency: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging At-Risk Groupspdf icon
- Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors, version 2.0